Indexed correspondence file



July 1932. LE ROI E HUTHINGS 1,866353 INDEXED CORRESPONDENCE FILE Filed Feb. 24. 1930 Le Roi E. Ihdchtms Patented July 5, 1932 UNITED STATES, PATENT OFFICE LE ROI E. HU1CHINGS, OIE TONWANDA, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR T REMINGTON RAND INC., OF BUFFAIAO, NEW YORK INDEXED CORRESPONDENCE FILE Application filed February 24, 1930. Serial 110.430,961.

This invention relates to correspondence folders orlike filing devices, and it has particular reference to a folder suitable for filing correspondence which is provided with a reference index disposed in a visible manner along an edge of the folder.

It has been customary .heretofore to re' tain and file correspondeime or like commercial documents in a cardboard folder pro- *vided with a projecting marginal tab upon which could be noted suitable reference or file indications. In one of the most generally used foilns, these folders have consisted of a sheet of.cardboard, folded on itself along its cei1ter line, to provide a pair of leaves between which letters or the like could be placed, and having tabs projecting upwardly irom an edge thereof, so that there was-visible a portion of the f0lder upon which reference characters could be placed. It has also been proposed to attach clips or signals to the edges of correspondence folders, which would project upwardly and serve as a.means of reference. The present invention ,contemplates the provision of a correspondence folder, in Which the visible portion extends along the entire edge of one portion, to provide greater strength and resistance to bending and tearing than that incident to folders formed with tabs. The invention further contemplates a movable signal or index, adapted to cooperate With the visible edge of the folder, so that the folder maybe employed for various purposes for which the older types of folders were not so readily adapted.

The various objects and advantages of the invention may be understood froma consideration of the following description of a typical embodiment thereof, illustrated in the ccompanying drawing, wherein: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the folder,

Fi 2 is a fragmentary view in end elevation of the folded portion,

Fig. 3 is.a trarisverse sect1onal view taken on line 33 of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view takenon line 44 of Fig. 1.

A rectangular blankof sheet material 10 is transversely scored as indicated at 11, 12,

'13, 14 and 15 to facilitate folding. The purpose of the plurality -of scores is to provide a s1mple and efi'ective.means of expanding the capacity of the f older. When the contents of the folder are small, the folder is s1mply folded along the score line 11, and as the contents increase, the folder is again folded along the line 12 (shown in broken hnes 1n Fig. 1), giving more capacity, and so on untrl the last fold line 15 is used. The folder 1s then fully expanded as shown in full lines in Fig. 1.

The.blank 10, When folded along any score hue, provides a major flap 16 and a minor flap 17, the minor flap 17 being always of 1653 area than the major flap, regardless of which fold line isosed. The purpose of this is to have the upper marginal edge 18 of the ma or fiap 16 always visible above the miner flap 17.

' The upper marginal edge 18 of the major flap 16 is provided with a numerical index 19 Which starts inwardly of the upper .lefthand corner thereof for a. purpose to be hereinafter described. The index 19 is divided into 31 equa1 spaces or sections appropriately designated by the numbeis 1 to 31 inclusive which represent the total number of days in the longest month. A protective sheath 21, formed of a strip of transparent resilient sheet material, such as celluloid, is folded as indicated by the reference numeral 22, into a longer portion 23 and a shorter por tion 24. The longer portion 23 is attached to the major fiap 16 by staples 25 so that the fold 22 lies along the upper edge 18 of the major fiap. The free end of portion 24 is folded as indicated at 26, to provide an inturned lip 27 which is resiliently held against the face of the major fiap by the method of folding along the line 22 and the inherent springiness of the sheath material.

The folding of the sheath 21 at 22 and 26, together With the portion 24 and the marginal edge 18, forms a pocket 28 into which an index slip 29, carrying suitable indicia, is inserted and frictiohally held therein. v The index slip 29 is positionedin the pocket 28 opposite to the blank space loft by starti1ig 1 the index 19 inwardl 'of the upper left hand corner of the major ap.

A signal 30, formed of a strip et semitransparent sheet material, is folded as indicated at 31 to provide a longer portion 32 and a shorter portion 33. The portion 33 is bent outwardly, as indicated by the numeral 34, to providea tongue 35 which rides upon the lip 27 which frictionally retains the signal in position. The portion 32 of the signal extends into the pocket 28, the upper end 32 of the signal being guided by contacting with the inner portion of the fold 22. The portion 32 is formed with an opening 36 through which the numbers of the index 19 are readily visible. The fold 31 provides a convenient finger piece for shifting the signal member 30 to predetermined positions longitudinally of the sheath and folder.

In use, an index slip 29 bearing suitable indicia is inserted in the pocket 28 at the upper left-hand corner of the folder. The signal member 30 is slid along the face of the folder until the opening 36 is oppopite the number of the index 19 representing the date at which the correspondence is to be next attended to. The guide member is frictionally held in that position until it is set for another date.

What is claimed is:'-

A corresponde'nce folder formed of a piece of sheet material folded to provide major and minor fiaps, said major flap having a Visible marginal portion beyond the end of the minor flap, a series of appropriately designated sections provided on the inner face of said marginal portion, spaced from one end thereof and extending along said marginal portion to the other end, a trans parent protective sheath coextensive with and enClosing said marginal portion and said ser 1es of sections, having a rear fold portion secured to said marginal portion and a front fold portion, said front fold portion having a coextensive inwardly and upwardly exten mg lip; said lip, front fold portion and marginal portion cooperating to form an nmnterrupted pocket, an index slip mounted in said pocket between the first mentioned end of said marginal portion and said series of sections, and a signal having one end mounted between the lip of said front fold V portion and said marginal portion, overlying a portion of said,series of sections and provided with means cooperating with said li for detachahly and slidably retaining sai signal in said pocket, in selective signalling cooperation with an of saidsections.

LE R I E. HUTCHHGS. 

